State police answer questions about trooper-involved crashes

Video of the incident surfaced on YouTube last week and got the attention of superstar skateboarder Tony Hawk.

CBS 6 News filed an official Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with state police last week to find out the protocol for trooper-involved accidents.

In response to the request, state police outlined what polices and procedures are in place. For the most part, officials could not comment on specifics related to the incident since that information is “exempt from release under Title 2.2 Chapter 37 Virginia Freedom of Information Act.”

State police procedures require anyone driving a state-owned vehicle to notify their division headquarters immediately and take witness statements at the scene. Additionally, a report must then be filed with a supervisor, who conducts the crash investigation, within five days.

CBS 6 also asked police if the trooper involved in this incident was subjected to drug testing. According to their drug testing policy, state police can drug test an officer if they have reasonable suspicion. However, they could not comment specifically about this case.

Officials did say the trooper involved in the crash was not cited, but said he could face disciplinary action if the crash investigation found he violated departmental standards.

The skateboarder hit in the crash, who was not seriously hurt, said state police paid his medical expenses. State police said that information is protected by medical privacy laws.